Solar System Log by Andrew Wilson, published 1987 by Jane's Publishing Co. Ltd.

Mariner 8 (also called Mariner-71H and Mariner-H) was the first of a pair of American spacecraft intended to explore the physical and dynamic characteristics of Mars from Martian orbit. The overall goals of the series were to search for an environment that could support life; to collect data on the origin and evolution of the planet; to gather information on planetary physics, geology, planetology, and cosmology; and to provide data that could aid future spacecraft such as the Viking Landers.

The launch of Mariner 8 was nominal until just after separation of the Centaur upper stage, when a malfunction occurred in the stage's flight-control system, leading to loss of pitch control at an altitude of 148 kilometers at T+4.7 minutes. As a result, the stack began to tumble and the Centaur engines shut down. The stage and its payload reentered Earth's atmosphere approximately 1,500 kilometers downrange from the launch site.

Key Dates

9 May 1971: Launch (01:11:01 UT)

9 May 1971: Re-entered Earth's Atmosphere (01:16 UT)

Status: Unsuccessful

Fast Facts

This was the first of two U.S. spacecraft intended to explore Mars in 1971.

The spacecraft began to tumble several minutes after launch, causing it to fall back to Earth and crash in the ocean.

Its sister mission -- Mariner 9 -- became the first spacecraft to orbit Mars in November 1971.

People Spotlight

Ellis Miner"The amazement is in recognizing that by exploring space we are doing something that's never been done before. I never tire of talking about it."